Solid state fermentation for the production of γ-decalactones by Yarrowia lipolytica

Abstract The production of γ-decalactones as aroma compounds is highly dependent on the access of the biocatalyst to substrate and co-substrate (oxygen). In this work, the potential of solid state fermentation (SSF) is investigated for this production with Y. lipolytica W29. Luffa sponge was used as an inert support and the investigation focused on the impact of aeration on metabolites. In that goal, experiments were carried out in three different SSF reactor types, wide-mouth Erlenmeyer flask (static aeration), forced aeration mini-reactor, and small-headspace bottle (without aeration). Four lactones were detected by GC–MS during the degradation of ricinoleic acid from castor oil by Y. lipolytica W29: 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone, which reached the high concentration of 5 g/L (in wide-mouth Erlenmeyer flask), γ-decalactone, dec-2-en-4-olide and dec-3-en-4-olide. In this study, some yeast cells changed their morphological properties from the yeast-like shape to pseudo-mycelium and mycelium. These cells may undergo a metabolic shift resulting in the high production of 3-hydroxy-γ-decalactone. The yield of lactone in the small-headspace bottle was very low suggesting insufficient oxygen availability. For their part, forced-aeration conditions in mini-reactors resulted in the stripping of lactone compounds. From the present work, an alternative process is proposed as a novel model for lactone production.